€10,60

🌱 Morphology

Broad-leaved Crassula · Bare-stemmed Crassula. Small perennial succulent, with a very compact habit, having a practically non-existent or extremely short stem. The leaves are densely concentrated around the base, forming an almost basal rosette.

The leaves are the most characteristic feature of this variety: broadly obovate to almost rounded, flat, rigid, and glabrous, approximately 2.5–3 × 1.9–2.5 cm. They exhibit a reddish hue and, depending on light intensity and temperature, may acquire more greenish or burgundy tones. The margins may present small cilia, a useful trait for differentiating it from other forms of C. nudicaulis.

The rosette remains low for a good part of the year, but during flowering, a long peduncle emerges that can reach 20–25 cm, protruding clearly above the plant.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family

Family Crassulaceae. It is an entity endemic to South Africa, restricted mainly to the mountains of the southern Great Karoo, from the vicinity of Worcester towards Prince Albert and Beaufort West, in the Cape provinces. It grows on dry rocky slopes, often in very exposed positions.

Its distribution corresponds to arid and semi-arid environments of the Karoo, where water availability is very irregular and drainage is extremely fast. SANBI currently considers this variety of Least Concern.

From a taxonomic point of view, Crassula platyphylla Harv. is the basionym and it is currently considered a synonym of Crassula nudicaulis var. platyphylla.

❄️ Temperature

USDA Zone 9b–11b. It is a plant of arid and exposed environments, capable of withstanding relatively low temperatures when dry and properly acclimatized.

During episodes of intense cold, it should be especially avoided that the substrate remains damp. The combination of low temperatures and excess water is significantly more dangerous than cold dryness.

☀️ Lighting

Intense lighting is recommended, with a target of 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR.

High light availability allows for maintaining the compact shape of the rosette and favors the bluish, reddish, or burgundy tones that the foliage can develop. Specimens grown in low light must be progressively acclimatized to high levels of radiation.

💧 Growth cycle and watering

Summer dormancy. Its origin in the southern Great Karoo, a region of marked aridity and summer drought, advises managing it with a cycle of activity during the more moderate seasons and reduced watering during periods of intense heat.

During the active growth phase, it is recommended to water abundantly and let the substrate dry out completely before watering again.

When temperatures are high and the plant clearly reduces its activity, watering should be spaced out significantly, and it can be kept practically dry during the hottest periods. Small, frequent waterings that keep the root zone continuously moist are not recommended.

In this variety, it is especially important to observe the plant's response: the geographic position of its habitat indicates an arid environment, but does not justify imposing a rigid watering schedule.

🌸 Flowering

The inflorescence emerges on an erect peduncle of about 20–25 cm, pubescent and slightly grooved, ending in a long and narrow thyrse, with small groups of flowers very close to each other. The flowers have petals fused at the base and a characteristic dorsal extension.

In cultivation, flowering is usually described during the summer, with small light-colored flowers, but the date may vary depending on the thermal regime and cultivation cycle. In Spain, it can be expected approximately between June and August.

🌿 Nutrition

During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, using a moderate dose.

Before the emission of the floral scape, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering. Do not fertilize during dormant periods or when temperatures are too high and the plant has clearly stopped its activity.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 The sizes of our basic collection xerophytes are as follows:

S -> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly, because, it is a living being! Each of the Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.